Readers' Dye Tips

Crafts

Crafts Guide

	Craft Basics
	General Crafts
	Childrens' Crafts
	Soap Making
	Candle Making
	Floral Crafts
	Holiday Crafts
	Crafting for Business
	Readers' Craft Tips
	Craft Forum

You are here: Home> Crafts > Basic Crafts > Dyes:

Readers' Dye Tips

page 7

Refer

Fixative - BY TERESA

Hi! You really should mention that neither salt nor vinegar is actually a fixative. Vinegar is a pH modifier, that can be used to help in takeup of dye, and salt is an assist used to "open up" the fibers to take dye more readily, but neither one actually does anything to set the dye. You need a mordant to actually get colorfast colors. Alum is the easiest to obtain of these, McCormick's makes alum that is sold in the spice or canning section of most grocery stores. You need to add some alum to water, bring it up to a simmer, and simmer your fiber to be dyed in the alum.

- Teresa H.

Carob Pod - BY C.W.I. ELLIS

I have found that carob pod, boiled, will give a gray to cotton. Being of high tannin content, it can be used alone: I guess that the same would work from carob powder or syrup.

Regards and may God keep you well.

Iris - BY MARGO

I stumbled across a very nice dye by deadheading my "near black" iris. It stained my fingers a very dark purple. I used an alum mordant and a silk scarf....beautiful color! Sort of a dark blue purple. Love it.

Weeping Willow - BY TRICIA, U.K.

Hi I am from the UK and have only just started to dye from natural materials. I recently lost a large branch in a strong wind from our Weeping Willow. I found that I was able to get the most beautiful peachy brown from the wood and bark. The beauty of this is that is was very colour fast as the tannin acts as a mordant. Just thought that you might like to add that to the list. Love your website.

Woad- BY E.A. PINKERTON

Just a note regarding Dyer's Woad...it is considered a noxious weed in some states, so if you decide to grow it in your garden, it is probably best to grow it in a pot, and make sure that your seeds aren't scattered by the wind.

Readers Tips For Dyes: [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]